Towel dispenser



Nov. 22, 1938.' L. M. HARVEYv 2,137,488

TOWEL DISPNSER Filed July 30, 1934 2 Sheets--SheeI l Patented Nov. 22, 1938` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device and relates more particularly to a towel cabinet or towel dispenser. A general object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and improved device for dispensing toweling.

It has been found that vpersons using towels or toweling dispensed by towel cabinets in public washrooms, etc., often withdraw excessive amounts of toweling. 'I'his needless and wasteful withdrawal of the toweling of course rapidly depletes the supply of toweling in the cabinets. The operators of buildings, etc. where towel cabinets are employed usually are quite willing to furnish the toweling but are often unable to maintain a proper supply of toweling in the cabinets because of its rapid, wasteful and unnecessary use.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for dispensing paper toweling that may be very easily operated to deliver a. predetermined amount of toweling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effective towel dispenser that requires three separate and distinct manual acts or operations for its full actuation, which manual acts usually deter the user from repeatedly operating the dispenser to deliver excessive or unnecessary amounts of toweling.

Another object of the invention is toy provide a towel dispenser of the character mentioned in which the manual operations necessary to operate the towel delivering means are simple and easily performed but must be performed in a definite sequence, so thatthe user is less inclined to repeatedly actuate the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet or towel dispenser that is' adapted to contain a continuous roll of paper toweling that is fed from the cabinet in a predetermined amount at each operation to be readily torn or cut free for convenient use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel dispenser of the character mentioned in which the act of tearing or cutting free the delivered length of toweling automatically sets up the mechanism for a succeeding operation and the toweling delivered at one actuation of the device must be torn or cut free before the device can again be operated.V

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel dispenser that delivers a predetermined or limited convenient length of toweling at each operation and cannot be made to deliver further toweling at a single operation by continued rotation of the actuating crank or by pulling on the toweling after the said predetermined length of toweling has been delivered.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and'application of the inventionl, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 Vis a front elevation of the towel dispensing device provided by the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the device taken as indicated by line 2--2 on Fig. 1, illustrating the parts of the control means in the normal or unactuated positions'.v Fig."3 is an enlarged `fragmentary sectional view showing the control `lever in a released position. Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3^illustrating the delivery means in the partially actuated condition, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 onFig. `2. i The towel cabinet or towel dispensing device of the presenti invention includes, generally, a cabinet `or case Illcarrying a supplyroll II of toweling, manually operatable means I2 for feeding or delivering the toweling from the case I0, a manually releasable means I3 normally preventing actuation of the delivery means I2, and control means I 4 adapted to prevent improper actuation of the delivery means I2 which is automatically released by the act of tearing or cutting free the delivered length of toweling.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the case I may be varied considerably in construction, shape, etc. The particular case I0 illustrated in the drawings includes a back wall or back I5 adapted to be attached to a support and a bottom I6 attached to the back I5 and projecting horizontally and forward therefrom. Ends or sides I9 connect with the back and bottom and merge into a top 9 which may be curved or rounded as illustrated. Spaced parallelplates I'I are provided in the case adjacent one side I9. `A vertical support I'Ia is provided in the case in spaced relation to the other side` I9. A front or door I8 is hinged to the outer edge portion of one of the sides I9 and is adaptedto close the forward side of thev case. Thedoor Iamay be suitably grooved or channeled to receive the edgeportions of the bottom I6, sides I9 and top 9. The door I8 may be held in its closed position by a suitable latch or lock4 20.

The support I'I and the inner plate `I'I are steppedor shouldered and are provided with l'lo vertical slots or elongated openings 2| which extend downwardly from their shoulders. The openings 2| carry a removable horizontal shaft 22 for supporting the supply roll II. The support or shaft 22 may be of rectangular cross section to be held against rotation through its cooperation with the openings 2|. The particular supply roll of toweling illustrated in the drawings includes a tubular spool 23 which is rotatable on the shaft 22. The paper or toweling T is fed downwardly from the roll II to befed through a slot or opening 21 in the bottom I6 of the case. A lip or guard 25 extends downwardly and rearwardly in front of the opening 21. In accordance with the invention means is provided for tearing or cutting the delivered portion of toweling free when it is pulled forwardly. The lower rearwardly projecting edge of the guard 25 is serrated or provided with sharpened teetli 28. When the delivered or projected portion of the toweling T is` pulled forwardly it is brought against the teeth 28 which cut the delivered portion of the toweling free so that it may be readily used.

The means I2 for feeding or delivering toweling from the case I0 is adapted to be easily manually operated but is under the control of the means I3 and the control means I4. The delivery means I2 includes rolls or rollers 29 and 30 which are suitably spaced below the supply roll II. The rollers 29 and 30 are positioned and related so that the toweling T passes downwardly between them and is frictionally engaged by their peripheral surfaces.V In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings the roller 30 has a middle portion 30a of enlarged diameter where-` by the toweling T is engaged only at its center or middle portion. The roller 29 is carried by a shaft 3| whose end portions are rotatably carried inropenings in the support I1 and the innermost plate I1. The shaft or axle 32 of the rollerv 30 has its end portions rotatably and shiftably supported in `horizontal slots 33...'Springs 34 are connected between the axles of the rollers to normally urge the roller 30 toward the roller 29 so that the toweling Tis suitably gripped or engaged by the rollers to be fed downwardly when they are rotated.v A shaftv 35 projects through an opening in one side I3 of the case and carries al projecting crank 36. A bushing 3 5av is keyed or fixed to the shaft. 35 between the plates I1 and a gear 31 is provided on the bushing- 35.a to cooperate with a pinion 3i!y fixed on the roller shaft 3|. It will be seen that rotation of the shaft 35 i-n the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 causes the toweling T to be fedv downwardly between the rollers 29 and 30.l

The means I3 normally operates to prevent actuation of the towel delivering means, I2. 'llhev means I3 is not absolutely essential to the device. but is preferably included as it embodies a part that must be manually moved or operated before the towel delivering means I2 can be actuated. The provision of the means I3 in conjunction with the means I4 usually deters the users from repeatedly actuating the device to deliver excessive and unnecessary amounts of toweling. The manually releasable means I3 includes a disc 4,0 fixed on the bushing 35* of the shaft 35. A de-A tent lug or stop 4| projects from the periphery of the.y disc 40 and has a flat radial surface 42 facing in the direction of rotation of the shaft 35 and a gradually curved or inclined rearv surface: periphery of the disc 441s generally cylindrical'. extent, for the stop projection 4I.. A

pawl or manually operatable control lever 43 is pivotably supported by a pin 44 extending between the plates I1. The lever 43 has an inner downwardly projecting arm adapted to cooperate with the surface 42 of the stop projection to prevent rotation of the shaft 35. This engagement, of course, prevents actuation of the towel delivering means I2. The control lever 43 is provided with an inclined or pitched slot 46 which rotatably and slidably passes the pin 44. The outer arm 41 of the control lever 43 projects through an opening 48 in the door I8 to form a handle. A downwardly projecting finger or guard 41e may be provided on the handle arm 41 at the opening 48 to prevent the users hand, engaging the arm 41, from contacting with the door I8. A stop 24 may be provided on a plate I1 to limit outward swinging of the arm 45.

In accordance with the invention the lever 43 is proportioned and mounted so that it normally 4assumes a position where the handle arm 41 projects. downwardly and forwardly through the opening 48. When the lever 43 is in the position just described the end of its inner arm 45 cooperates with or is adapted to cooperate with the surface 42 of the stop projection 4| to prevent rotation of the shaft 35. Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates the control lever 43 in its normal position where its arm 45 is cooperating with the stop projection 4| to hold the shaft 35 against turning.

To release the means I3 the handle arm 41 is raised or pivoted upwardly, which of course causes outward movement of the arm 45 to disengage it from the face 42 of the stop projection 4|. During the upward pivoting of the handle arm 4T thepivotal axis of the lever 43 shifts and the lever moves downwardly on the pin 44 until the upper end of the slot 46 comes into engagement with the pin 44. This downward shifting of the control lever 43 brings the arm 45 to a position where its edgel or sidesurface engages the outer surface of the stop projection 4| whereupon the crank 36 may be operated to rotate the shaft 35 and actuate the towel delivering means I4. When the stop projection 4I is moved out of engagement with the lever arm 45, during the rotation of the shaft 35, the handle arm 41 of the lever moves downwardly by gravity and causes the lever 43 to automatically return to a position where the end of its arm 45 is directly in the path of the stop projection 4I to limit the rotation of the shaft 35. The engagement of the projection 4I with the arm 45 at the end of one rotation of the shaft 35 moves the arm 45 upwardly so that the lower portion of the slot 46 receives the pin 44 as illustrated in Fia. 2.

The control means I4 is governed by the handling of the toweling T and makes it necessary to tear or out ofi the exposed delivered portion of the toweling to render the towel delivering means I2 operative for further actuation. The control means I4 is normally released or inoperative before actuation of the towel delivering means I2 and is automatically rendered operative during the initial portion of the operation of the means I2 to. prevent the delivery of an excessive amount of toweling T in the event that the control lever 41 is held up and the rotation of the crank 3 6 is continued. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the control means I4 includes two discs 50 and 5I)a fixed onk the bushing 35a of the shaft 35. The disc 50 provided on its periphery with a projecting ca m 5I..l The control means I4 also includes a The control means I4 includes an escapement or double pawl 51 which is controlled bythe toweling T to limit the rotation of the shaft 35 in the event that an attempt is made to withdraw an excessive amount of toweling from `the case without tearing or cutting free the toweling delivered by the means I2. The pawl 51 has an upwardly and inwardly projecting arm 58 for cooperating with the keeper 53 and the disc 56a.

A surface 59 of the arm 58 is adapted to engage the keeper finger 56 when the keeper 53 is in its normal position against the cam disc 58. This engagement of the finger 56 with the surface 59 holds the arm 58 outwardly away from the disc 58a. A shoulder 68 is provided on the upper edge or side of the arm 58 and is adapted to be engaged by a stop projection 54 on the disc 58a when the pawl 51 is in its operative position. The keeper nger 56 in cooperating with the surface 59 normally holds the pawl 51 in the released position where its shoulder 60 is out of the pat of the projection 54.

Assuming the parts to be in the positions illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, rotation of the shaft 35, following the release of the control lever 43, brings the cam 5| into engagement with the keeper 53 to move the keeper upwardly and disengage the finger 56 from. the surface 59 whereupon the pawl 51 automatically pivots by gravity to a position where its shoulder 68 is adjacent the periphery of the'disc 58a and is in the path of the projection 54. In practice the parts are related so that the forward face of the projection 54 will have passed the'shoulder 60 prior to the inward movement of the arm 58 into engagement with the disc 50a. The cooperation of the cam 5l with the keeper 53 holds the keeper 53 in its up or released position during the initial portion of the rotation of the shaft 35.

The control lever or pawl 51 of the control means i4 has a lower arm 6I which projects downwardly to a point adjacent the opening 21. A web or gate 62 has one end connected to the arm '6l and has its other endpivotably connected to the support |13. The gate 62 extends across in front of the toweling T and is adapted to be engaged by the toweling when the projected or delivered portion of the toweling is pulled forwardly when being cut free. `The upper edge of the gate 62 may be notched to have suitable clearance with the roller portion 35a. After the finger 56 has been released from the arm 58 as described above, the pawl 51 assumes a position where the gate 62 is engageable by the toweling T upon the toweling being drawn forwardly and cut free. The forward movement of the toweling T when being cut by the teeth 28 pivots the pawl 51 to move the shoulder 60 out of the path of the projection 54 and to move the arm 58 away from the disc 50ab so that the arm is automatically latched out by the keeper 53. The pawl 51 is thus automatically reset in itsl inoperative or released position by the tearing or cutting free of the delivered portion of toweling.

The invention includes `means for preventing withdrawal of unlimited amounts of toweling T in the event that the user maintains a forward strain or pull onthe toweling T to hold the gate 62 forwardly and at the same time .attempts to rotate the shaft 35 by means of the crank 36. This means includes a branch or arm 63 on the pawl 51. The arm 63 projects upwardly at a suitable angle with respect to the arm 58 and is provided adjacent its upper end with a downwardly facing shoulder 64. When the user maintains an out pull or strain on the projected toweling T the engagement of the toweling with the gate 62 holds the pawl 51 in a position where the arm 53 is adjacent the periphery of the disc 56a and the shoulder 64 is in th'e path of movement of the projection 54. When the crank 36 is turned while a forward strain is maintained on the delivered toweling, the engagement of the projection 54 with the shoulder-64 limitsturning of the shaft 35 and thus prevents further removal of toweling from the cabinet. Upon the pawl 51 being released from the keeper 53 or upon the release of the forward strain on the toweling the arm 63 automatically moves by gravity to a position where its shoulder 64 is not engageable by the projection 54. A pawl 39 may be pivotably supported by the pin 44 to cooperate with the gear 31 to prevent reverse rotation of the crank 36 and shaft 35. Y

Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates the parts of the control means and the toweling delivering means in their normal positions following a proper complete actuation of the device and shows the delivered portion of toweling being cut free. Immediately `following the cutting free of the delivered toweling T the keeper 53 is in the path of the cam 5l and the pawl 51 is held in its inoperative position by the engagement of its surface 59 with the keeper finger 56. The control lever 43 is in its active position where its arm 45 is in engagement with the stop 4l to prevent actuation of the towel delivering means l2. To actuate the dispensing device to deliver toweling the user must first move the handle 41 upwardly so that the gravity controlled lever 43 is moved to a position Where its arm 45 is disengaged from the stop face 42 whereupon the control lever moves downwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. 'I'he crank 36 may then be turned to actuate the means l2 to feed or deliver the toweling T downwardly through the slot 21. During the initial portion of this actuation of the means l2 the cam 5I comes into engagement with the keeper 53 and pivots the keeper to its up position freeing the pawl 51 so that the arm 58 moves inwardly toward the disc 50a. The forward face of the projection 54 passes the shoulder 68 before the arm 58 moves inwardly to engage the disc 58e. The movement of the pawl 51 following its release from the keeper brings the arm 63 to a position where its shoulder 64 is out of the path of movement of the projection 54 so that it does not interfere with the full actuation of the means l2.

The crank 36 may be freely rotated until the shaft 35 has beenturned for approximately one complete revolution, whereupon the stop 4! comes into engagement with the arm 45 of the` control lever 43. This engagement of Vcourse prevents further actuation of the means l2 so that the means l2 delivers only a predetermined amount of toweling T. The shoulder 68 and the projection 54 have clearance when the stop 4l is cooperating with the arm 45. Following the actuation of theV means I2- the user engages the projected portion of the toweling and draws or pulls it forwardly so that the teeth 28 cut it free. This forward movement of the toweling T brings it into engagement with the gate 62 and causes pivoting of the pawl 51 to a position where the shoulder 60 isV out of the path of the projection 54. The outward movement of the arm 58 releases the keeper 53 so that the keeper returns to its normal position to hold the arm 58 away from the disc e. The control means I4 is thus automatically set up or released by the tearing or cutting free of the delivered portion of toweling. With the control means I4 in its normal released condition the device may again be actuated as above described.

From the above description of the mode of operation of the dispensing device it will be seen that three separate or distinct manual acts lor operations are necessary for one complete operation. The handle 41 must rst be raised and the crank 36 then turned to actuate the means I2 and the delivered portion of the toweling must be cut free before the means I2 can be actuated again. These three manual operations usually deter the users from repeatedly actuating the device to deliver unneeded amounts of toweling. The means I3 and thecontrol means I4 are such that the device cannot be tampered with or improperly operated to deliver excessive amounts of toweling at one operation. In the event that the user holds the handle 41 up and continues to rotate the crank 36 without tearing free the projected portion of toweling the shoul- I der remains in the path of the projection 54 and positively limits turning of the shaft 35 and operation of the crank 36.. If the user merely maintains an out or forward strain on the delivered toweling without cutting free the de- II livered portion of toweling, then releases the controlv lever 43 and attempts to rotate the crank 36 to obtain additional toweling, the shoulder 64 remains in the path of the projection 54 and prevents actuation of the towel delivering means I2. To receive an additional amount of toweling after a complete operation, it is necessary to tear or cut free the delivered portion of toweling to release and set up the means I4. The control lever 43 automatically returns to its normal position at the end of each rotation of the shaft 35 so that it must be operated or raised in order to repeat operation of the device.

VIf the means I3 is omitted from the device the towel delivering means I2 is governed solely by the control means I4 and the operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that the pawl 51 is held in its released position by the keeper finger 56 the crank 36 may be turned to rotate the shaft 35 for approximately one complete revolution to deliver a predetermined length of pawl 51, after its release from the keeper 53,

shifts the shoulder 64 out of the path of the projection 54 and brings the shoulder 60 to the Dosition illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. At the end of the complete rotation of the shaft Il 35 the forward face of the projection 54 engages the shoulder 60 and this engagement prevents further turning of the shaft. The user must then draw or pull the delivered portion of toweling T forwardly against the teeth 28 to cut it free.r in order to set up the device for further actuation. The forward strain on the toweling T required to cut it free results in forward swinging of the gate 62 and pivoting of the pawl 51. The act of cutting free the delivered portion of toweling T pivots the pawl 51 to the position where the keeper 53 may swing downwardly to engage its finger 56 with the surface 59. This engagement of the finger 56 with the surface 59 releasably holds the pawl 51 in its released position where the shoulder 60 is out of the path of the projection 54. The crank 36 may then be again actuated to deliver another portion of toweling from the case I0. In the event that the user attempts to obtain additional toweling by merely maintaining a forward strain on the delivered toweling while rotating the crank 36 the strain on the toweling holds the pawl 51 in the position where the shoulder 64 is in the path of the projection 54. The attempt to turn the crank 36 brings the projection 54 into engagement with the shoulder 64 and the rotation of the shaft 35 is prevented. From the above it will be seen that the control means I4 makes it necessary to cut free the delivered portion of toweling following each actuation of the means I2 in order to obtain additional toweling.

Having described only a typical form and application of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited or restricted to the specic form and application herein set. forth,but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device for dispensing paper toweling including a case for holding a supply of toweling, feed means for feeding a length of toweling from the case including a crank projecting from the case, a manual control member normally preventing actuation of the feed means and accesation of the feed means releasable by tearing free I the delivered length of toweling to condition the feed means for further actuation under the control of said member.

2. A device for dispensing paper toweling including a case for holding a supply of toweling, feed means for feeding a length of toweling from the case including a crank projecting from the case, a manual control member normally preventing actuation of the feed means and accessible to the operator to be manually engaged and released whereupon the crank may be turned to feed a length of toweling from the case, means for cutting free the delivered length of toweling, and means for governing actuation of the feed means releasable by a manual pull on the delivered length of toweling to bring it against the cutting means.

3. A device for dispensing paper toweling including a case for holding a supply of toweling, feed means for feeding a length of toweling from the case including a crank projecting from the case, a lever accessible to the operator normally preventing actuation of the feed means and releasable upon being moved by the user where- Sii upon the crank may be turned to feed a length of toweling from the case, and a control for preventing further actuation of the feed means releasable by tearing free the delivered length of toweling to condition the feed means for further operation under the control of the lever.

4. A paper towel dispenser including a case for housing a supply of toweling, manually operable feed means for delivering toweling from said supply, a part normally releasably cooperating with the feed means to prevent its operation, a part accessible for direct manual engagement and manipulation to release the rst named part whereby the feed means is free for operation, means for cutting free the delivered portion of toweling, and a control for preventing further operation of the towel feed means released by a manual pull on the delivered portion of toweling to bring it against thecutting means.

5. A paper towel dispenser including a case for housing a supply of toweling, manually actuated means for feeding toweling from said supply, a part releasably cooperating with the feed means to prevent its operation, a. handle manually engageable from the exterior of the case to release the said part whereby the feed means is conditioned for operation, means for cutting free the delivered portion of toweling, and a control for preventing further operation of the feed means released by a forward pull on the delivered portion of toweling to b-ring it into engagement with the cutting means, the last named means including a control member moved by the toweling during the forward pull on the toweling.

6. A dispensing device including a case, means for supporting sheet material in the case, means operatable to feed predetermined lengths of the material from the case, including a rotatable part, a manually engaged member for rotating said part, releasable means normally preventing rotation of said part including a handle element manually engageable at the exterior of the case and operable to release the releasable means and thereby condition the material feeding means for operation, means on the case for cutting free the delivered lengths of material by manipulation o-f said lengths of material, and a control means including a projection on said part, and a control member engageable by the projection to prevent actuation of the feed means and engaged by the material to. 'be moved out of the path of the projection by said manipulation of the material.

7. A dispensing device including a case, means for supporting sheet material in the case, means operatable to feed predetermined lengths of the material from the case, including a, rotatable part, releasable means normally preventing rotation of said part including a handle element engageable at the exterior of the case for manual operation to release the releasable means and thereby condition the material feeding means for operation, means on the case for cutting free the delivered lengths of material by manipulation of said lengths of material, and a control means including a projection on said part, a control member moved by manipulation of the said lengths of material, a shoulder on the control member engageable by the projection to prevent actuation of the feed means and shifted out of the path of movement of the projection by said movement of the control member, and means for releasably holding the control member in the releasing position.

8. A dispensing device including a case having an opening, means for supporting a roll of toweling in the case, manually operable feed means for delivering toweling from the roll to pass out through the opening, releasable means initially preventing operation Yof the delivering means including a part manually engageable for manipulation at the exterior of the case to re- -lease the releasable means so that the delivering means is operative, means at the opening for cutting free the delivered portion of toweling by pulling it forward, and means operative to prevent continued operation of the delivering means and released by manipulation of the delivered toweling to cut it free, the last named means including a part in the case adjacent the cutting means engaged by the toweling during said manipulation.

9. A towel dispensing device including a case comp-rising sides, ends, and a front that may be opened, spaced supports in the case for carrying a roll of toweling, there being an opening in the case, means operatable to deliver toweling from the roll through the opening and including a rotatable element having a, shoulder and an operating part projecting from the case for rotatl ing the element, means extending along one edge of the opening for cutting free the delivered toweling, and an escapement alternately engageable with the shoulder in two positions to stop operation o-f the first mentioned means and operable from one position to the other by the last mentioned means.

LEO HARVEY. 

